Jackson, Debra, PhD

Biography

Deb Jackson was born and raised in Maine. She graduated from South Portland High School in 1985 and she received her B.A. in Mathematics from the University of Southern Maine in 2000. She then received her M.S. in Physics from the University of Maine in Orono in 2005. Her work used an information theoretic approach implemented with Monte Carlo simulations to investigate the nature of local ordering in the two-dimensional Ising spin glass. She earned her Ph.D. in Physics from the University of Maine in Orono in 2010. Her Ph.D. work focused on gaining a better understanding of ice stream flow in glaciers. She implemented a slippery layer approach and solved a system of coupled thermodynamic and velocity differential equations using finite element analysis written in computer code using C++.

My teaching philosophy involves keeping students engaged in learning by keeping the material applicable and interesting. I find that students learn when the material is important and interesting to them, as opposed to just taking a class to check off another required course. I look for ways that the subject matter affects the student and use examples to make the material important to the student.

Deb is currently researching AI, and its application to improve learning. She enjoys spending time with family, gardening, and walking her dog.